Climate Crisis Threatens Survival of Ancient Moss Species

The world's oldest moss species, Takakia, which has been growing for 390 million years, may face extinction due to the climate crisis. Scientists have found that the moss, found in remote parts of the US, Japan, and Tibet, has evolved to adapt to extreme weather conditions, including high altitude and ultraviolet radiation. However, as the climate warms and glaciers melt, the moss is being exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, leading to a decline in its population. Efforts are being made to preserve the species by multiplying specimens in laboratories and transplanting them to experimental sites in Tibet.